Peelable packaging



NOV. 12,l 1968 R L, LEE 3,410,393

PEELABLE PACKAG ING Filed June 23, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet l ,5 FlaiATTORNEY R. l.. LEE 3,410,393

PEELABLE PACKAGING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 12, 1968 Filed June 23, 1967Nov, l2, 1968 R4. L.. LEE

PEELABLE PACKAGING 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 25, 1967 FIG.5 /42 UnitedStates Patent O 3,410,393 PEELABLE PACKAGING Robert L. Lee, Norwalk,Conn., assigner to Acme Backing Corporation, Stamford, Conn., acorporation of New York Filed June 23, 1967, Ser. No. 648,470 s Claims.(Cl. 20s- 46) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A package having a gussetedconstruction and including a panel peelable from the body of the packagefor dispensing the contents thereof.

Background of the invention Applicant, in his Patent No. 3,217,871discloses a peelable seal package comprising essentially a pair ofsuperposed sheets with a pair of opposed coatings between the marginalportions thereof, which provide a good seal, yet allow for peeling thesheets apart to make the contents of the package readily accessible.Such packaging is particularly useful for enclosing single objects ofrelatively limited size and bulk.

The instant invention is an improvement on the packaging of Patent No.3,217,871 and is particularly concerned with packaging for enclosingarticles of relatively large dimension and bulk or trays having one ormore recesses therein for mounting one or more articles therein; wherebya panel portion of the package may be readily peeled away from the baseportion of the package to expose for ready access the packaged articleor tray carrying articles.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide improvedpackaging of a gusseted construction and including a peelable panel;suitable coatings being applied to selected portions of the elementsforming the package.

' Another object of this invention is to provide improved packaging ofthe character described for enclosing article holding and dispensingtrays; the packaging and tray having correlated configurations tofacilitate the packaging operation, to increase resistance to tearing ofthe packaging atvulnerable areas thereof, and to facilitate the peelingof the peelable panel to expose the contents of the tray and tofacilitate dispensing the same.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide packaging of thecharacter described, for enclosing tray means carrying sterilizedarticles such as surgical instruments and the like; the construction andarrangement of parts of the packaging being related to the tray so as toinsure the retention of a sterile eld about the periphery of the trayand its contents when the same is exposed by peeling the peelable panelportion of the package.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

Summary of the invention The instant invention relates to packaging forenclosing articles of substantial size and bulk, as well as recessedtrays carrying smaller articles; the packaging being formed from a pairof opposed sheets providing a gusset construction, with coatings appliedto selected surface areas of the sheets whereby the packaging is sealedabout the contents thereof, yet allows for separation of the packagingelements by peeling.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing ablank for forming one portion of the packaging embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the reverse side of the blank shown inFIG. 1;

3,410,393 Patented Nov. 12, 1968 'ice FIG. 7 is a side elevational viewshowing a portion of another embodiment of the invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments The packaging of the instantinvention is particularly adapted for enclosing articles of substantialsize, which may be of -a sterile or non-sterile character; and forenclosing recessed trays which carry one or more articles of a sterileor non-sterile character, whereby the package may be readily opened bypeeling a panel portion thereof to expose for access and removaltherefrom the contents thereof.

The packaging of the instant invention is formed from paired webs orsheets of material carrying selected coatings, as more fully disclosedin applicants Patent No. 3,217,871; and including paper, plastic lilm,metal foil, synthetic brous webs, and the like. By way of illustration,the packaging is shown as formed of a sheet of paper and a transparentlm of Mylar or the like.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, one element of the packaging generallyindicated at P, is in the form of a paper sheet 10 or rectangular shapeand forming a base panel 11 having an inner surface 12 and an outersurface 12A. Panel 11 has parall-el side edges 13, 14 and parallel endedges 15, 16. The panel 11 is precreased to form parallel fold lines 17,18 and 19 on each side thereof', thereby providing side gusset portions17A, 18A and 19A upon folding the side marginal portions of said panelalong lines 17, 18, 19.

The other element of packaging P takes the form 0f a transparent panel20 of Mylar lln which carries on one surface thereof, a thinthermoplastic adhesive coating 21 extending over the entire surfacethereof. Coating 21 may be derived from polyethylene, polypropylene orother thermoresponsve material which is adherent not only to panel 20,but may also be heat sealed to sheet 10, more particularly to selectedportions thereof, as hereinafter disclosed.

Thus, base panel 11 in Open blank form is precoated by suitable means,over selected areas thereof, with selected thermoresponsive materialscorrelated to coating 21 on panel 20, as more fully set forth in Patent3,217,871. Thus, side marginal portions 22 of panel 20 may be heatsealed to folded gusset portions 17A of base panel 11 while end marginalportions 23 of panel 20 may be heat sealed to the opposite end marginalportions of base panel 11 to provide a well sealed package P for thecontents thereof; yet allowing panel 20 to be peeled away from basepanel 1l to expose the contents of the package for removal therefrom.

Accordingly, there is applied to the inner surface 12 of panel 11 at theopposite ends thereof, transversely extending bands 25 of athermoplastic composition which are nonadherent to the coating 21 onpanel 20 over a wide range of temperatures including sealingtemperatures. Thus, the bands 25 may be derived from a mixture ofnitrocellulose and polyvinyl acetate and smaller proportions of suitableplasticizer and solvent.

Bands 25 have their outer edges coterminous with panel edges 15, 16 andterminate at their opposite ends inwardly of fold lines 19, as at 26. Asecond set of bands 27 are applied by coating to inner surface 12 ofpanel 11, said bands 27 being immediately adjacent bands 25 and formedof the same thermoplastic composition. However, bands posing manyclosely spaced small areas of panel surface 12, in a manner more fullydisclosed in Patent No. 3,217,871.

Bands 27 have a length substantially equal to that of bands 25. Bands25, 27 may be relatively narrow but of a width suitable for conventionalpackage sealing operations utilizing heated sealing bars or wheels.

The inner surface 12 of base panel 11 has further applied thereto shortbands 28 of a heat sealing thermoplastic composition such as vinylcopolymer or the like. Bands 28 extend from the opposite ends of bands27 to side edges 13, 14 of panel 11, for the purpose hereinafterappearing.

The reverse side of panel 11, as at 12A, is provided with longitudinallyextending band coatings 30 which are applied to the outermost gussetportions 17A and extending over a width thereof from edges 13, 14 tofold lines 17. Coatings 30 are of a thermoplastic nature similar tocoatings forming bands 27, and are also of a discontinuous interruptedform so as to expose many spaced small surface areas of gusset portions17A.

Band coatings 30 terminate at their opposite ends short of end edges 15,16 of panel 11, see FIG. 2. Coatings 31 of a material similar to that ofbands 25, and being also of a continuous, uninterrupted character, areapplied to the opposite terminal ends of gusset portions 17A. Thus, whengusset portions 17A, 18A and 19A are folded in accordion form, as shownin FIG. 3, coatings 31 will be in lateral alignment with bands 25 andform extensions thereof. Similarly, opposite end portions of coatings 30on folded gusset portions 17A will be in lateral alignment with bands 27and form extensions thereof.

Also, on the reverse side 12A of panel 11, there is applied short narrowbands 32 of heat sealing thermoplastic composition similar to that ofbands 28. Bands 32 extend parallel and adjacent to panel edges 15, 16,being located inwardly of lower portions of coatings 31 so as to extendover gusset portions 18A, 19a, for the purpose later described.

In packaging an article, not shown, the same is located between panels11, 20 which are in superposed relation; gusset portions 17A, 18A, 19Abeing accordion folded to bring gusset portions 17A in opposed relationto side marginal portions 22 of panel 20, see FIG. 4. Heat sealing meansin the form of bars or wheels, of conventional character, are applied tolongitudinal and transverse portions of the superposed panels tocomplete the package. Also, panels 11 and 20 in continuous sheet formmay be sealed together along their opposed side marginal portions andtransversely cut to form individual packages P which are filled and thentransversely sealed.

Thus, with the gusset portions 17A, 18A and 19A in their accordionpleated condition, coatings 28 will secure the terminal portions thereoftogether while coatings 32 will secure outer surface portions of gussetportions 18A, 19A together. The side marginal portions 22 of panel 20will be sealed to the outer surfaces of gusset portions 17A by way ofopposed interrupted coatings 30 and coating 21 while transverselyextending portions 33 of panel 20 located inwardly of end marginalportions 22 thereof will be sealed to inner surface 12 of panel 11through interrupted coatings 37 and opposed coating 21 on panel 20.

As the coating 21 on panel 20 is non-adherent to band coatings and thecoatings 31, the opposite end marginal portions 23, 24 of panel 20 willbe in non-adherent, separated relation to the opposite end marginalportions of base panel 11. Thus, the separation of panel 20 from panel11 may be started by way of said marginal portions 23, 24 with a peelingaction which permits separation of the side marginal portions 22 ofpanel 20 from gusset portions 17A as well as from the transverse bands27, in view of the interrupted bonding effect attained by the coactionof coatings 27, with the coating 21 on panel 20, as more fully set forthin Patent No. 3,217,871.

It will be apparent that the gusseted packaging P is well adapted tocontain reasonably large articles, as for example, surgical devices andthe like. The contents of the package P may be made sterile by the useof gas or other procedures well known in the art. Access to the contentsof the package P is possible by peeling the panel 20 away from the basepanel 11, exposing such contents which may be readily removed therefrom.

Gusseted packaging P also lends itself to the enclosure of tray elementscarrying the item or items to be packaged. Thus, trays formed of lightweight materials such as foam plastic, cardboard, molded pulp, or thelike, having depressions formed in one surface thereof to receiveindividual items; may be assembled with packaging P as a containertherefore.

As shown in FIGS 5, 6; packaging P', similar to packaging P shown inFIGS. 1-4, encloses a tray member 35 which may be formed of foamedplastic such as polystyrene or the like. Tray member 35 is shown with asingle recess 36 of rectangular shape for receiving therein an article,not shown. Recess 36 is defined by side edges 37 and end edges 38. Theends of the tray member 35 are tapered as at 39 with bevelled sideportions 40. The tapered end portions 39 form end edges 41.

It will be apparent that the tray member 35 with its contents, may bereadily introduced into packaging P', the tapered ends 39 and bevellededges 40 facilitating the assembly operation. The fishtail portions 42at the opposite ends of packaging P extending beyond tray edges 41 andmade up of marginal end portions 25A of base panel 1l, including theband coated portions 25, 27 thereof and marginal end portions 23 ofpanel 20; are readily sealed together by the usual heated sealing barsor wheels.

Also, it has been found that the gusset portions of base panel 11, atthe opposite ends thereof adjacent sealed fishtail portions 42, showincreased resistance to tearing, cracking or other forms of rupture.

The side marginal portions 22 sealed to gusset portions 17A of basepanel 11, as previously described; are supported on the marginal surfaceportions 43 of tray member 35. The edges 13, 14 of gusset portions 17Aare spaced outwardly of side edges 37 of tray member 35; thus providinga sterile field when peeling panel 20 away from panel 11, and exposingrecess 36 in tray member 35, so as to readily remove the sterilecontents thereof without fear of contamination.

As shown in FIG. 7, tray member 35A is similar to tray member 35, exceptthat one or both end edges thereof, is at instead of tapered, as shownat 45. In this case, the fishtail end portion 46 of packaging P may befolded fiat against said end edge 45 and peelably sealed in its foldedcondition.

It is understood that the packaging P and P may be made up of variouscombinations of paper, film, foil and plastic sheets, as well asnon-woven webs and other sheet materials; together with a suitablecombination of continuous and discontinuous coatings of thermoresponsivematerials which provide seals of desired properties, yet lendingthemselves to peeled separation when the packaging is to be opened, allas set forth in said Patent No. 3,217,871.

I claim:

1. Packaging comprising a pair of opposed sheets for enclosing an objecttherebetween with peripheral portions of said sheets extending beyondthe peripheral edge portions of said object, one of said sheets havingfoldable side gusset portions, said one sheet having on the innersurface thereof and at the opposite ends thereof a pair of adjacentinner and outer thermoresponsive coatings extending t0- ward oppositeside edges of said sheet, the outermost coating being of a continuous,non-interrupted character, the innermost coating being of adiscontinuous, interrupted character, the outermost side gusset portionsof said one sheet having applied to the outer surface thereofthermoresponsive coatings of a discontinuous, interrupted characterwhich extend toward the opposite end edges thereof, the other of saidsheets having surface portions of a thermoplastic character which are inopposed relation to the marginal opposite end portions and the foldedoutermost gusset portions of said one sheet, said thermoplastic surfaceportions of said other sheet being non-adherent to the thermoresponsivecoatings on said one sheet over a wide range of temperatures, saidthermoplastic surface portions of the other sheet being heat sealed atclosely spaced surface areasthereof to said one sheet through thediscontinuities in the thermoresponsive coatings thereon, and heatsealable coatings on opposite end portions of the gusseted side portionsof said one sheet for sealing the overlying gusseted side portions atthe opposite ends thereof.

2. Packaging as in claim 1 wherein the outermost gusset portions of saidone sheet have on the outer surface thereof and at the opposite endsthereof continuous, non-interrupted coatings of thermoresponsivematerial which are in lateral alignment with said outermost coatings onthe opposite end portions of said one sheet and the inner surfacethereof.

3. Packaging as in claim 2 wherein the innermost gusset portions of saidone sheet have on the outer surface thereof and at the opposite endsthereof, sealing thermoplastic coatings whereby the overlying outergusset portions at the opposite ends thereof are heat sealed together.

4. Packaging as in claim 3 wherein the gusset portions of said one sheethave on the inner surface thereof and at the opposite ends thereofsealing thermoplastic coatings which are laterally aligned with theinnermost coatings on the opposite ends of said one sheet wherebyopposed gusset portions at the inner surface of said one sheet aresecured together.

5. Packaging comprising in combination object carrying tray means, meansfor enclosing said tray means and the object carried therein, said traymeans having tapered edge portions at the opposite ends thereof, saidenclosing means including a pair of opposed sheets, one of said sheetshaving foldable gusset portions on the opposite sides thereof, saidgusset portions enclosing the side portions of said tray means andextending over the top marginal side portions thereof, the other of saidsheets overlying the top of said tray means with marginal portionsthereof overlying marginal portions of said one sheet, means for sealingthe opposed marginal portions of said sheets, said sealing meanscomprising a pair of interposed thermoplastic coatings, one of saidcoatings being of a continuous, non-interrupted character,` the other ofsaid coatings being of a discontinuous, interrupted character, saidcoatings being non-adherent to each other over a wide range oftemperatures, spaced portions of said continuous coating extendingthrough the discontinuities of said discontinuous coating and sealed tothe sheet carrying said discontinuous coating on closely spaced surfaceportions thereof.

6. The combination as in claim 5 wherein said opposed sheets are sealedtogether at the opposite ends thereof in transverse zones extendingbeyond the opposite tapered edges of said tray means.

7. The combination as in claim 6 wherein said foldable gusset portionscarry thermoplastic seal coatings at the opposite ends thereof forsealing opposed folded gusset portions at said `transverse extendedzones of said sheets.

8. The combination as in claim 5 wherein the side edges of the outermostgusset portions of said one sheet are located on the top surfacemarginal portions of said tray means outwardly of recessed portionsthereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,133,946 10/1938 Bloomer 229--512,330,666 9/ 1943 Berkowitz.

2,676,702 4/ 1954 Whitefoot 206--632 2,715,089 8/1955 Michener et al156-289 X 2,735,544 2/1956 Guyer 206-63.2 2,745,592 5/1956 Steck 22.9 512,810,507 10/ 1957 Saunders 229-37 2,903,947 9/ 1959 Weisshuhn 229-5 3 X2,954,116 9/1960 Maso et al 229-51 3,001,689 9/1961 Burton 229-623,217,871 11/1965 Lee 206-63.2

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner.

